NPCs and the NPC Matrix

[cassusaevum]

In a game with a strong political/intrigue bent, a recurring cast of NPCs is a must.  To that end, I have a device I like to use, called an NPC matrix.  Basically, it works like this:

• Random table of NPCs (for 4 players, I'll probably use 12-15 NPCs) that will feature in the game
• Each player rolls on the table (for 4 players I will probably do 5 rolls each, guaranteeing some overlap)
• Each NPC rolled is an NPC that your character knows and has a previous relationship with
• Players roll to determine the nature of that pre-existing relationship (friendly or adversarial) and the generalities behind it
• This generally results in the party members knowing several people in the world and having a web of relationships, with some players having friends that may be adversaries of other players
• These relationships exist outside the framework of advantages and disadvantages in the game (so, if you have a friendship with an NPC, that does not grant you the Ally advantage (for example)
• If you choose advantages and/or disadvantages that require NPCs, you can use the ones generated here or we can create additional ones

I'll be listing the NPCs and the relationship tables in this thread, both so that we preserve them for later and so that you all can look over them if you wish.  The fine details of the relationships will have to be created by you.  The tables just give the broad strokes.  Also note that these won't be all the NPCs in the game... just those that the characters will have existing relationships with.

[cassusaevum]

d15	Person	Clan	Description
1	Horiuchi Fumio	Unicorn	Horiuchi Fumio is an average looking male, about 22 years old, with jet black hair in an elaborate braid and amber eyes. He is average height and of muscular build, with a hard face, and a tanned complexion.
2	Akodo Masaru	Lion	Akodo Masaru is an exceptionally attractive male, about 21 years old, with raven-colored hair in a simple braid and silver eyes. He is average height and of average build, with a kindly face, and a worn complexion.
3	Hida Keiko	Crab	Hida Keiko is an attractive female, about 52 years old, with raven-colored hair in pigtails and amber eyes. She is average height and of average build, with a kindly face, and a wrinkled complexion.
4	Shiba Ayaka	Phoenix	Shiba Ayaka is an average looking female, about 23 years old, with jet black hair in a feathered style and sea green eyes. She is average height and of average build, with a hard face, and a fair complexion.
5	Ikoma Yukiko	Lion	Ikoma Yukiko is an average looking female, about 34 years old, with russet hair in a feathered style and chestnut-colored eyes. She is average height and of average build, with a slender face, and a rosy-cheeked complexion.
6	Kakita Goro	Crane	Kakita Goro is an average looking male, about 27 years old, with chocolate brown hair in a long ponytail and leaf green eyes. He is average height and of average build, with a bland face, and a fair complexion.
7	Moto Jun	Unicorn	Moto Jun is an average looking male, about 37 years old, with chocolate brown hair in a short ponytail and chestnut-colored eyes. He is short height and of average build, with a hawkish face, and a worn complexion.
8	Kitsuki Hotaru	Dragon	Kitsuki Hotaru is an attractive female, about 25 years old, with ebony hair in long tresses and sky blue eyes. She is average height and of average build with a kindly face.
9	Agasha Amaterasu	Phoenix	Agasha Amaterasu is an attractive looking female, about 24 years old, with obsidian hair in long tresses and honey-colored eyes. She is short height and of average build with a bland face.
10	Kitsu Kurou	Lion	Kitsu Kurou is an average looking male, about 21 years old, with russet hair in a feathered style and russet-colored eyes. He is average height and of average build, with a wide face, and a tanned complexion.
11	Yogo Tomiko	Scorpion	Yogo Tomiko is an attractive female, about 17 years old, with ebony hair in a layered style and sapphire eyes. She is average height and of slender build, with a hawkish face, and a fair complexion.
12	Daidoji Shinji	Crane	Daidoji Shinji is an attractive male, about 25 years old, with white hair in a top knot and sea green eyes. He is average height and of average build, with a wide face, and a fair complexion.
13	Kuni Kou	Crab	Kuni Kou is an average looking male, about 23 years old, with jet black hair in a long ponytail and hazel eyes. He is average height and of average build, with a hawkish face, and a dark complexion.
14	Bayushi Junichi	Scorpion	Bayushi Junichi is an average looking male, about 51 years old, with obsidian hair in a short ponytail and silver eyes. He is average height and of average build, with a bland face, and a worn complexion.
15	Yasuki Maki	Crab	Yasuki Maki is an exceptionally attractive female, about 24 years old, with sable hair in a feathered style and amber eyes. She is average height and of average build with a dusky complexion.

[cassusaevum]

d12	Friendly
1	A family member (most likely a distant cousin who still retains some ties to your family)
2	A political ally of your family daimyo who has guested at your home many times
3	A one-time romantic partner of someone in your household (possibly, but not necessarily, you)
4	A valued trade contact of your family
5	Rivals turned friends (either of you directly, or of a member of your family)
6	A childhood friend (either of you directly, or of a member of your family)
7	Brothers-in-arms (have fought in a battle of some sort together)
8	Mentor (the NPC has served as a mentor to you in some form or fashion)
9	A debt repaid (the NPC owed you or your family a debt that was repaid and is now friendly towards you)
10	A debt owed (the NPC owes you or your family a debt that has not yet been paid)
11	Forged in tragedy. (some great loss or tragedy brought the NPC into your life).
12	Friend turned enemy. Roll again on this table (re-rolling a second result of 12). This is how the relationship began. Then roll on the Adversarial table. That is where the result stands now.

[cassusaevum]

d12	Adversarial
1	Dueled to a draw (Some slight was given and a duel resulted, but the outcome was inconclusive)
2	A political enemy of your family daimyo (as opposed to a traditional clan enemy)
3	A one-time romantic partner of someone in your household (possibly, but not necessarily, you)
4	A rival for a romantic interest from your past
5	An economic rival of your family
6	You spurned their romantic advances
7	They spread negative rumors (true or not) about you, earning your enmity
8	You defeated them in a contest of some sort, and they have been jealous of you ever since
9	They believe (rightly or not) that you stole something of theirs, but have no evidence
10	They hold you responsible for the death of someone they cared about
11	A yokai told them that you were destined to be their downfall
12	Enemy turned friend. Roll again on this table (re-rolling a second result of 12). This is how the relationship began. Then roll on the Friendly table. That is where the result stands now.

[cassusaevum]

NPC Matrix

This is where we'll track the initial NPC relationships generated at character creation.

NPC	Julie's Character	Clint's Character	Dave's Character	Derek's Character
Horiuchi Fumio
Akodo Masaru	Adversarial - friend turned enemy... spread rumors	Friendly - Brothers in arms, fought together at some point		Friendly - one time romantic partner
Hida Keiko			Adversarial - political enemy of the provincial daimyo.
Shiba Ayaka	Adversarial - a yokai told them you were destined to be their downfall.			Friendly - forged in tragedy.
Ikoma Yukiko		Adversarial - ecomonic rival of family
Kakita Goro			Adversarial - crane that was told the harsh truth.
Moto Jun		Adversarial - Romantic interested ended badly
Kitsuki Hotaru				Friendly - a family member (distant cousin)
Agasha Amaterasu
Kitsu Kurou
Yogo Tomiko	Friendly - childhood rival turned into a friend.
Daidoji Shinji			Friendly - Amused by the cold truth and gave the jade too.
Kuni Kou			Adversarial - Spread rumors (true or not) and earned your enmity.
Bayushi Junichi		Friendly - childhood friend of you or someone in your family		Friendly - one time romantic interest
Yasuki Maki	Adversarial - rival for a romantic interest in your past